A harmful new rule from the Department of Labor that targets independent workers across the country went into effect last month.
Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, and Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-California, introduced a joint resolution aimed at blocking the damaging action being taken by the DOL. The rule makes it more difficult for a business to utilize independent workers.
The check on agency power—which stems from the Congressional Review Act—is a welcomed legislative maneuver. Since the oversight tool’s inception, it has overturned nearly two-dozen rules handed down by the executive branch, including around environmental standards, labor issues, and education policies. Now, lawmakers have the opportunity to do it again. The White House’s policy represents a blow to the modern economy that needs to be corrected.
The White House’s policy represents a blow to the modern economy that needs to be corrected.The new policy will have a severe chilling effect on the U.S. economy, jeopardizing the employment autonomy of millions of Americans. More specifically, at risk is the ease to which businesses are able to engage the services of freelance professionals. It’s a dynamic market that includes translators, tutors, financial advisors, logistics professionals, healthcare providers, and other independent business owners.
Unlike the static workplaces of the 20th century, freelancing provides Americans huge latitude when it comes to when, where, and how much to work. The arrangement is mutually beneficial to businesses—which are able to adapt quickly to shifting market demands—and workers who are empowered to choose their projects and manage their own schedules.